Telegraph system.



P. M. RAINEY.

TELEGRAPH SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED DEC- Y, 1914.

Patented Mar. 28,1916.

&

Wnesses:

. /m/emaru Pau/ M lib/hey Penn M. EAINEY,

or GLEN RIDGE, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGIhTOB, BY "no wnsrrnnn ELEo'rRIocoMrAnY, INCORPORATED, aoonrommon on NEW YoBK.

iaEsN ASSIGNMENTS,

'rELEsnA rn s'YsrErr.

Specification of Letters Patent.

are,

To all whom itm'a z concern."

Be it known that 1, PAUL M. RarNEY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Glen Ridge, in the county of Essex and State'of New Jersey,-have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Telegraph Systems,- of which the following is a full, clear,' .con cise, and exact description. This invention relates to telegraph systems of the type wherein a plurality of lines ter minate at a central ofiice, and its principal objects are to provide an automatic-distrihution of incoming calls to' idle operators positions and prevent operators from interfering with'a'busy line. v Y To the above ends, the lnventioncontemplates an automatic calling line finder apparatus associated with operators positions,

and so arranged that the apparatus of an idle operators position picks up the callingline and eliects the operation ofsignals to notify other operators that a given line is in r a busy condition.

- At the central station ignatedto answer.

The above and other objects of theinven tion will be fully set forth in the following description and claims, and will be more reference to the acin which. thesystem of diagrammatically.

readily understood by companying drawing connections is shown C each operator descalls over branch lines is with a selectingmechanism adaptprovided ed to begin operation upon the initiation of a call, automatically pick oiit the calling line and connect it to the-operato1"s set; This mechanism comprises in part a selector switch 5 individual to an operatorsset. The switch consists of a bank of contacts '6 arranged in pairs, one pair for each line served, and a rotatable arm 7. Arm 7 is provided with a pair of wipers 8 and 9 insulated from each other and adapted to be carried thereby over the'bank .oi' contacts 6. The

arm is rotated at the proper time-by an electromagnetically operated mechanism com- 7 prising a ratchet wheel and a pair of ratchets (not shown), an actuating magnet anda holding magnet 16. Magnet 15is rapid in. its operation and follows the interruptions in its energizing circuit to l y-step in the direction of the arrow against I the action of a restoring spring (not shown). Holding magnet 16, on the other hand, is slow .to release after being once energized and so does not follow the interruptions of premature return of arm 7.

ever,

st'ruction.

v corresponding signals 36 are connected in seoperators sets is joined through each other move the arm 7 step-- i or more the operating circuit, but holds its ratchet against the ratchet Wheel during short intervals of no current, and thus prevents the When the period of no current is lengthened, how- 7 returns to normal. One specific form of this "type of 'selector switch is shown in' a patent to J. L. McQuarrie 826,350,issued July 17, 1906. The contacts 6 of the various selector switches,- which are associated with the same'telegraph line, are connected together in multiple, as shown.

The wipers Sand 9 are respectively con- I nected to a portion 19 of a restoring; switch QO andan operators set 25. Thisiset comprises a key 26, resistance 27, sounder '28,

tery 31, allof the usual and Well-known con- Any or allot the operators posi- 4 Patented Main-28', 1916. Application filed December 7; 1914. Serial No. 875,543. i

both ratchets are withdrawn and arm condenser 29, signal 30 and a grounded bat-- tions provided with sets-25 and any other desired operators positions may .be provided with calling jacks: and associated busy signals 36. The jacks associated with the same line are connected in multiple throughout the various positions, and to a front con-' and to a winding 89 of relay 88, while the rice to a grounded battery 40. The'calling comprise a plug l5, key' 46, sounder 47, condenser 48, resistance Bland a grounded battery 50.

The selector switch 5 is'equipped with two contact springs and 56. Spring 55 I the windingof a starter relay 57 to a grounded battery'58, while spring 56 is connected to an armature 59 of relay 57 Normally spring 55 engages a contact spring 60 connected to a front contact of armature 61 of. relay 57 and battery 31, through signal 30 but when'arm 7 takes its tact of an armature 37 of a transfer relay 38,

first step, springs 55 and 60 are separated.

With arm 7 in its normal position, spring56 is separated from a cotiperati-ng contact spring 65 which is joined to av portion 66 of restoring switch 20.; but when arm 7 takes its initial step, springs 56 and 65 engage The telegraph, line L'extendsi from the central office C and may accommodate'one branch stations 70, Each branch station is provided with the usual telegraphic apparatus consisting of alkey 71, sounder 72 and condenser 73- Each lineL,

provided with an armature 95 connected to ground through a constantly rotating interrupter 96. The cotjperating'front contact of armature 95 is joined to. the tongue 97 of a manual transfer switch. This tongue plays between contacts 98 and 100, normally in engagement with contact 98 but adapted, when an operator is to be absent from her position, to be moved to engage contact 100 instead. The transfer of the tongue 97 breaks a normal circuit for current made in.- termittent by interrupter 96 when relay 78 is energized and extends a new circuit to the next operators position over an eX- tended starter wire 101. An'arresterand holding relay 105 having two windings 106 and 107 is provided connected to ground and portion19 of switch 20. Relay 105 has three armatures: armatures 108 connected to starter wire 101 and adapted to cooperate with a niovable front contact 109 to automatically perform the same function as the tongue 97-of the-manual transfer switch; armature 115 connected to both windings 106 and 107; and armature 116 which is grounded. All of the operators positions to which the starter wire 101 extends, are similar to the one just described except the last which has, in addition to the usual apparatus, an overflow relay, 120 and an over- -flow signal 121 controlled thereby.

Transfer relay 38.has a holding winding 125 connected to oneof the bank contacts 6 and a front contact of an armature 126 of relay 77. Relay 77 also has a holding winding 127 connected to a grounded battery 128 and to an armature 126. Armature 130 of relay 38 is connected to ground, the cotipcrating front contact thereof being connected to the circuit of the busy signals 36 associated with its line, while the front contact of armature 85 and the back contact 0f armature 130 are connected together.

When one of the branch stations 70 desires to make a call, key 71 thereof is depressed. A circuit is thereupon completed fromground, key- 71, line L, armature 37 of transfer relay 38,- winding 76 of line relay 77- and start controlrelay 78 togrounded battery 79. Relays 77 and 78 attract their armatures. Armature 126 prepares an operating and locking' circuit for relay 38 and a locking circuit for relay 77 through wind 65 ings 125 and 127 to contact 6, armature 85 completes a locking circuit for relays 77 and 78 from battery 79 through .armature 130.

The attraction of armature 95 closes a circuitfrom ground through interrupter 96, tongue 97, contacts 98 and .109, springs- 'and 55 and starter relay 57 to grounded battery 58; The first impulse causes relay 57 to pull up its armatures, whereupon a locking circuit is prepared therefor by armature 56 tobe completed 'to switch 20 when springs 56 and engage upon the first step of arm 7. Armature 61 closes a tacts 6 associated with the calling line L,

whereupon a circuit is completed-from grounded battery 128, winding 127 and armature 126 of relay 77, winding 125 of relay 38, contact 6, wiper 8, portion 19 of switch 20, and windings'107 and 106 of relay 105 to ground, Relays 38 and 105 are thereupon energized. Armature 37 of relay 38 removes line L from line relay 77 and eX- tends it through contact 6 andwiper 9 to operator-s set Armature 130 provides a ground for battery 40 through the busy signals 36v which notify all operators before whom they are placed that the corresponding line is in use. The attraction of thearmatures of relay 105 performs the following functions Armature 108 breaks the interrupter circuit for magnets 15'and 16 and transfers it to the next operators position; armature 115 completes a holding circuit for relays 105, .38 and 77 from ground through winding 106, switch 20, wiper 8, contact 6, winding125, armature 126 and winding 127 to groundedbatterylQS; and armature 116 provides a holding circuit for magnets 15 and 16 and causes the display of signal 30 by current from battery.31. The operator. is thus notified that she is wanted. Telegraphic conversationmay now take place between the' branch station 70 and the operator, and when completed the operator manipulates switch 20. This opens both portions 19 and 66, breaking the circuit for relays 105, 38 and 77 and relay 57 The rotation continues respectively. Magnets 15 and.16 are ther'eupon deenergized and arm 7"returns to normal. The denergii'ation of relays- 105, 38 and 77 allows all of their armatures to be retracted, those associated with relay 77 breaking their contacts before those of re lay 38 engage their back contacts, and all of ready to receive a call.

78, provides ing a ground Connection ing busy signals A call coming in on a second line While the first'selector switch isstill occupied with a call on the first line wilhbecause of the action of relay 105, pass to the second selector mechanism over'the'extended starter The second selector switch and Wire 101. its associated apparatus will thereupon pick up the calling line, as hereinbefore described, If all of the operators are busy,

so that the relay 105 of'the last position is energized, overflow relay 120 is connected through the various armatures and contacts 108 and 109 and starter wire 101 to the front contact of relay 78. In this event another call originating over a telegrap line, resulting inthe energization of relay a ground. for'this circuit through the interrupter 96,.and relay 120 pulls up its armature. Overflow signal 121 thereupon becomes active, notifying the operators that a call has come in without find ing an idle operator. In case an operator the calling sets desires-to make a-connection with a line, plug is inserted in jack 35, whereupon relay 38 is energized by current from battery 50. Relay &8 thereupon pulls up its armatures, armature 3? connecting the line L, corresponding to jack 35, directly to the calling set, and armature 130 providfor the correspond- 36, whereupon all other operators, as in the case of an incoming call, are notified that the line is in use.

Upon the completion of the telegraphic mechanisms,

conversation, plug 15 is withdrawn, breaking the circuit'for relay 38, Whereupon all of the apparatus returns to a normal condition.

The invention claimed is:

1. In a telegraph system, the combination of a plurality of selecting mechanisms at a central office, telegraph lines extending to the central ollice and there adapted to be connected to one of a plurality of said means for initiating the operation of one of said mechanisms to connect provided with one of an idle operators position'to a calling line, a plurality of circuit connecting jacks and busy signals for each said line, an electroresponsive device for each. said line for displayingall of said'si-gnals associated with a busy line, and circuit connections controlled through a calling line or a said Jack for effecting the actuation of a said device.

2. In a telegraph system, the combination of a plurality of telegraph lines'extending to a central o'liice, a plurality of calling jacks and busy signals associated with each said line and located before a plurality of operators. positions, switch associated with each of a plgralit'y of operators positions, means for causing said switches to connect an operators position with. one of said lines uponcthe initiation of a call, electrorespons ve devices for causing the operation of all of said signals as sociated with a busy line, circuit connections controlled throu 'h a callin line or b C 'jack for effecting the operation of-said do and means for producing an over- When all of the switches asbusy vices, flow signal sociated with one of said lines are when a call is initiated.

3. In a call distributing system the combination of a plurality of lines extending to a central .otiice,ia plurality of selector switches each adapted to be associated with some of said lines, means i dividnal to said lines to cause one of said switches nect with a corresponding line, a control extending device associated with each said switch and which when a corresponding switch busy automatically associates said means with another of said switches, and an overflow signal-associated with number of an automatic selector to consaid switches and thereby caused to "be placedunder the coiitrol of one or more of i said lint s.

l n witness whereof, my name this 5th day oi PAUL M. RAHCSY.

I hereunto subscribe \Vitnesses E. EDLER, K. L. StraHL.

December A. 11,, 

